This weekend’s Gospel reading records the miracle of water being changed into wine. “This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” (John 2:11) So that we and the whole world can see and believe in Jesus, our Heavenly Father graciously revealed Him through “Five Highlights” we celebrate during the season of “Epiphany.” God manifests (shows or reveals) Himself in the person and work of Jesus 1) through the appearance of the star over the place where Jesus was, 2) by revealing Himself to the Gentiles (the “non-Jewish” magi or wise men), 3) as we see Jesus baptized, 4) at the Transfiguration (see Luke 9:28ff) and here 5) through His first great public miracle of changing water into wine.
Jesus called Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael to follow Him as disciples (John 1:40-51). After this, He and his disciples began to travel from Bethany to Cana, and on the third day they arrived there as a wedding feast was taking place. Mary, “Jesus’ mother, was there and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” (John 2:2)
Wedding celebrations, in their culture, were often seven-day-long affairs with the bride and groom being expected to provide hospitality, food and drink – all week – for all their guests! Is it any wonder, then, that when the wine was gone Mary came to Jesus with the wedding couple’s embarrassing problem saying, “They have no more wine.” (John 2:3) She didn’t beg or try to coerce Him; she simply and trustingly placed the need before Him and “said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” (John 2:5)
“Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing (see Mark 7: 3-4), each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then He told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’” (John 2:6) When they did so, Jesus, miraculously, had changed this huge quantity of water (120-180 gallons) into the highest quality of superb wine! The wedding host even complimented the groom on waiting until this time to serve the best of wines!
We can learn from this miraculous event, that Mary boldly placed the need before Jesus; that she believed completely whatever He decided would be the very best answer; and that she patiently waited for Him to accomplish His divine will and plan.
May we follow Mary’s example as we boldly, faithfully and trustingly bring our needs and the needs of others to Jesus; may we also believe completely that He will graciously do whatever He knows is good, right and best; and may we wait patiently for Him to accomplish His divine will and plan in our lives and in the lives of others around us.
After all, He mercifully met our greatest need by taking our place on the cross, suffering and dying for us in order to forgive our sins and assure us a place with Him in everlasting life! If He has done all of this for us, will He not also miraculously “take care of all the small stuff” we face every day? He will and He does! So, we too, see His glory and put our faith in Him!
See you in church this next weekend!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow